MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism Employees Association (DOTEA) recently launched a signature campaign to show support for embattled Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo.
The signature campaign was launched on May 3 days ahead of Teo’s resignation and days after she was dragged into the controversy of alleged anomalous advertisement deal. The P60 million worth of advertisement placement with the state-run Philippine Television Network Inc. and Bitag Media Unlimited Inc., owned by Teo's brother, Ben Tulfo, was questioned by the Commission on Audit for lack of documents.
Image shows the letter of support penned by the Department of Tourism Employees Association Philstar.com/Erwin Cagadas
“We the bonafide members of the Department of Tourism Employees Association (DOTEA) are united and strongly support our Dear Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo. We denounce all malicious allegations hurdled to her,” the letter calling for signature read.
“In unison, we have affixed our signature as gesture of support,” it added, showing signatures of employees.
A source of Philstar.com claimed that the DOTEA called for signatures by passing the letters to employees within its main office and regional offices.
The letter calling for signature was also posted on the walls of DOT lobby in its main office in Makati City.
Among those who signed
In February, Teo was also criticized for allegedly bringing her personal make-up artist and office clerks in official trips in the country or overseas.
In a report by The STAR, it claimed that the documents obtained showed that DOT employees joined Teo in her 2016 and 2017 trips to Dubai, Italy, UK, Russia, Japan, US and Canada “to attend international travel fairs and conduct inventory of DOT foreign offices.”
READ: Make-up artist, utility clerk join DOT chief overseas
Among the named companions in Teo’s domestic and international trips were her make-up artist, Angelito Ucol and her assistant, Marinela Miranda. The report added that travel orders were issued to utility workers, messenger, cashier, drivers clerk and internal auditors.
The report also mentioned Manjune Garduque, division chief of internal audit and president of the DOTEA, allegedly joining the DOT’s trip to the US and Australia.
A number of employees also expressed support for Teo during that time by posting hashtag #WeSupport SWTT and #WeAreHereForYouSec.
DOT employees express support for Tourism Sec Wanda Tulfo-Teo#WeAreHereForYouSec #WeSupportSWTT pic.twitter.com/bWMIFqNya4
— Visit Philippines (@TourismPHL) February 19, 2018
In its response, the DOT said the travels of the employees were duly authorized and in accordance with the policy. Teo stressed that no government money was spent when they were sent abroad as these are incentives.
Teo cited that she accepted ten cabins from cruise line Star Cruises. Philstar.com asked confirmation from the cruise line regarding the partnership but it did not response to the inquiry.
The DOT chief also clarified that she traveled with an “executive assistant” who was not a make-up artist. DOT spokesman Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre added that Teo “was not present in any of the international trips highlighted” in the article.
'No corruption amid Teo's resignation'
On Monday, Teo quit from her post amid the P60-million advertisement deal controversy.
A report from the STAR earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte told Teo to hand her resignation in a one-on-one meeting at the end of the 25th Cabinet meeting at Malacañang late Monday night.
READ: Make-up artist, utility clerk join DOT chief overseas
Teo’s legal counsel and spokesperson, Ferdinand Topacio, however, said there was no such demand from the president and that the decision “was purely of her own volition.”
Topacio said Teo tendered her resignation and personally handed it to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea before the Cabinet meeting. This was also confirmed by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. during a Palace press briefing.
“Her decision to leave her position was made after a long and deliberate reflection and soul-searching with respect to the events that have transpired the past weeks,” Topacio said in a statement.
“Sec. Teo reiterates that she had done no wrongdoing, and that all the dealings of the DOT went through all legal processes, were above-board and done in good faith, and with total absence of malice,” he added.
On Monday, Topacio also announced that BMUI agreed to return the P60-million advertisement funds. Wanda’s husband, Roberto, also mentioned that he tendered resignation from the board of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority or TIEZA after being dragged into the issue. The former Tourism chief serves as the chair of Tieza.
RELATED: Two Teos on TIEZA Board not necessarily a conflict of interest
Related video: